London bus drivers vote to go on strike over 2012 Olympics pay

Bus drivers have voted to go on strike over pay during the London 2012 Olympics, and suggested their walkout could coincide with the Games next month.

London bus workers are requesting an extra £17 a day for their services for the duration of the Olympics

Bus drivers, who are members of the Unite union, are using the strike to demand extra pay over the Olympic period.

Drivers reportedly want an extra £500 for their increased workload during that time.

The strike action could have a potentially damaging effect if it continues into the start of the 2012 Olympics, causing serious delays to travel in and around central London.

Unite claims other London transport employees are having their pay increased in accordance with their extra working hours.

The union’s regional officer Peter Kavanagh told Sky News it was a ‘disgrace’ that Transport for London had let the dispute over pay get to the point of a strike.

‘There are only seven weeks until the Olympics and the whole world is watching London. It’s a disgrace that London’s mayor, Boris Johnson, and the bus companies have allowed this dispute to get this far,’ he said.

‘Our members are only asking for an extra £17 a day which will just about buy you a pint of beer and a portion of fish and chips at the Olympics.

‘This dispute could be brought to an end now if the bus companies and TfL have the will to provide the relatively small amount of money compared to the billions being spent on the Games.’

Unite estimates that an extra 800,00 will use London buses throughout the duration of the Olympics.